Great Ideas

Requirements

The Great Ideas curriculum explores the ideas of some of the best minds of Western thought such as Plato, Vergil, Machiavelli, and Austen. Students of Great Ideas become proficient at analyzing complex ideas and arguments, comparing texts to each other, and writing and speaking clearly and effectively.

At Carthage, students can major and minor in Great Ideas.

Please note: Current students should follow the printed version of the College Catalog, and work with their advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.

The Great Ideas Major

The Great Ideas major consists of 40 credits.

Required Courses (take all):

GFW 2210 Foundations of Western Thought: Ancient and Medieval
GFW 2220 Foundations of Western Thought: Renaissance to Modern
GFW 2310 Foundations of American Thought
GFW 2410 Foundations of Natural Sciences
GFW 2420 Foundations of Mathematical Thought
GFW 4000 Capstone Course (students write a thesis under the guidance of Great Ideas facuty)

In addition, majors take four electives, all of which focus on primary texts of Western thought. At least two electives should focus on the close reading of a small number of texts.

Electives (take four):

Majors/minors choose electives from among courses with an emphases on major primary texts. If there are questions, please consult the director of the Great Ideas Program to see if a course will count toward a Great Ideas major or minor. Courses that may count toward a Great Ideas major or minor include:

GRK 2010 Intermediate Greek I
LTN 2010 Intermediate Latin I
ENG 3110 Shakespeare
ENG 3150 Special Studies in a Major Author Prior to 1700
ENG 3160 Special Studies in a Major Author After 1700
PHL 2000 Studies in the History of Philosophy
POL 2050 Philosophical Foundations of Political Economy
POL 3250 Classics of Social and Political Thought
POL 3260 Studies in Political Theory
REL 3060 Luther and the Reformation

The Great Ideas Minor

The Great Ideas minor consists of 20 credits.

Required Courses (take all):

GFW 2210 Foundations of Western Thought: Ancient and Medieval
GFW 2220 Foundations of Western Thought: Renaissance to Modern

Choose one:

GFW 2410 Foundations of Natural Sciences
GFW 2420 Foundations of Mathematical Thought

The remaining two courses can be selected from among any of the courses taken by Great Ideas majors, including: GFW 2310 Foundations of American Thought, GFW 2410 Foundations of Natural Sciences, GFW 2420 Foundations of Mathematical Thought. (GFW 4000 Capstone Course is an exception.)

Academic Resources

Prospective Students

Carthage In-Depth

Carthage Symposium

Art Meets Biology. Students photograph biodiversity in Tucson, Ariz.

J-Term

A special month-long period of study in January to experiment, create and dream. Read more ...